Ornamental device

ABSTRACT

An ornamental device including a housing, means on the housing for hanging the housing on a suitable support, means within the housing for holding an element to be viewed, means within the housing for illuminating the element, and means carried by the housing for permitting viewing of the illuminated element. The device may be spherical and simulate a Christmas tree ornament. The element to be viewed may comprise a photographic transparency.

United States Patent Yates 1 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] ORNAMENTAL DEVICE [72]Inventor:

[22] Filed:

Robert L. Yates, 9346 South East End Avenue, Chicago, 111. 60617 March9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 17,494

[52] US. Cl. ..240/10 T, 40/1522, 350/236 [51 1 Int. Cl. ..A47g 33/16,G02b 27/00 [58] Field of Search ..240/10 R, 2 AT, 10 S, 10 T;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1966 Richter ..240/10 T 10/1959Lawsky ..40/130 R 10/1940 Kreisler et al ..350/239 X 12/1942 Christensen..40/152.2 X 3/1937 Regester ..240/10 X 7/1927 Mammen ..240/10 S'IIIIIIYIIIIIIIIII/Il/III/.

1,409,114 3/1922 Loveberg ..40/l52.2 1,215,986 2/1917 Pohlman ..240/103,177,593 4/1965 Loeb ..40/l52.2 X

Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-Daniel M. YasichAttorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & Mc- Cord 5 7] ABSTRACT Anornamental device including a housing, means on the housing for hangingthe housing on a suitable support, means within the housing for holdingan element to be viewed, means within the housing for i1luminating theelement, and means carried by the housing for permitting viewing of theilluminated element. The device may be spherical and simulate aChristmas tree ornament. The element to be viewed may comprise aphotographic transparency.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ORNAMENTAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to ornamentaldevices and in particular to illuminated ornamental devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art One conventional form of ornamentaldevice comprises a Christmas tree ornament. Conventionally, such SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved ornamentaldevice permitting individual identification with the ornament while yetproviding an aesthetic, accurately manufactured over-all appearance.More specifically, the invention comprehends providing an ornamentincluding a housing, means on the housing for hanging the housing on asuitable support, means within the housing for holding an element to beviewed, means within the housing for illuminating the element, and meanscarried by the housing for permitting viewing of the illuminatedelement. The housing may comprise a light-transmitting housing forimproved aesthetic effect. The viewing element may comprise a picture ortransparency suitably selected by the user and installed in theornament. The viewing means may comprise a suitable lens for magnifyingthe image of the element to be viewed for improved discernment of theelement. Where the element to be viewed comprises a transparency, theilluminating means is arranged to provide substantially evenly diffusedlight therethrough for improved viewing.

The ornament may comprise a device generally simulating a Christmas treeornament globe. The housing may be light-transmitting permitting theilluminating means to provide a highly aesthetic light transmissiontherethrough as well as provide means for illuminating the element to beviewed therein.

The device may be arranged to carry a plurality of elements to be viewedand the illuminating means may be suitably arranged to provide suitableillumination of each of the plurality of elements.

The device may be arranged to permit facilitated insertion and removalof the elements to be viewed whereby the elements may be installed andreplaced by the user as desired. The device is relatively lightpermitting it to be used in the manner of a conventional Christmas treeornament by hanging the same on a branch of the Christmas tree. Theilluminating means may be energized by wires brought outwardly throughthe housing. Illustratively, the illuminating means may comprise aconventional Christmas light and may comprise one of a series of suchlights on a common string with a series of the ornamental devices beingprovided for use with the lights of the series.

The ornamental device is extremely simple and economical of constructionwhile yet providing the above discussed desirable features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a tree branch carrying a number ofornamental devices embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ornamental device;

FIG. 3 is a diametric section taken substantially along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a reduced side elevation illustrating the appearance of thedevice to a viewer; and

FIG. 6 is a diametric section showing a modified form of ornamentaldevice embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing, an ornamentaldevice generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a device such as forhanging on a support illustratively shown as a Christmas tree branch 11.Ornamental device 10 is adapted for personal identification with theuser by utilization of an element to be viewed 12, such as a photographor photographic transparency selected by the user and viewable in thedevice as will be brought out in greater detail here following.Illustratively, the device may be utilized in conjunction with picturesof the users family to provide a closely personal identification with aseries of such devices hung on a Christmas tree or the like.

Ornamental device 10 may comprise a housing 13 provided with suitablemeans 14 for hanging the device on a suitable support. Structure 15 isprovided within the housing for receiving and holding the element to beviewed. Means 16 are further provided within the housing forilluminating the element 12. Means 17 are car ried by the housing 13 forpermitting viewing of the illuminated element. The entire ornamentaldevice 10 is relatively light in weight and simple and economical ofconstruction while yet providing improved personal identification withthe device as by permitting the elements to be viewed to be personallyidentified with the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elements to be viewed comprisephotographic transparencies. Thus, the illuminating means may comprise alamp element 18 disposed rearwardly of the transparency 12 fortransmission of light through the transparency and outwardly fromhousing 13 through the viewing means 17. In the illustrated embodiment,lamp element 18 comprises a conventional low wattage Christmasdecoration lamp provided with suitable wires 19 which are brought outthrough the opening 20 in a cover 21 for connection to a suitable powersupply (not shown) such as a receptacle outlet. Lamp 18 may comprise oneof a series of such lamps in a string as desired. The lamp may be heldin place in the housing by suitable bracket means 22 permittingfacilitated installation and removal of the lamp such as for maintenancepurposes.

Housing 13 may define any desirable shape and in the illustratedembodiment comprises a globe having a projecting tubular portion 23 atthe upper end thereof capped by cover 21. The globe may be formed of asuitable lightweight material, such as plastic, glass, etc.,

and illustratively may be light transmitting for improved aestheticeffect. Where the globe is formed of a translucent material, the lighttransmission therethrough from lamp 18 provides a highly desirablegeneral glowing appearance.

Hanging means 14 may comprise a suitable hanger having a pair of legs 24received below the topwall 25 'of cap 21, and a loop hanger portion 26projecting upwardly through the opening 20 such as for hanging thedevice from a Christmas tree branch or the like. Legs 24 may beresilient to facilitate passage thereof through opening 20 in mountingthe hanger on cover 21. Holder illustratively comprises a frame providedwith a center opening 27 aligned with the lamp l8 and viewing means .17as best seen in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, holder 15 isarranged to suitably carry a transparency introduced thereinto throughan upwardly opening slot 28 in the housing 13 adjacent tubular portion23. lllustratively, the transparency may comprise a conventional 35 mm.transparency. The device may be adapted for mounting different sizetransparencies as desired. To provide improved illumination ofthe-transparency, a diffusing sheet 29 may be mounted rearwardly on theframe. Further, the inner surface adjacent lamp 22 may be provided witha reflective coating 30 as seen in FIG. 4 to provide improved efficiencyin illumination of the transparency.

Viewing means 17 may-comprise a suitable lens 31 which may be formed ofsuitable material such as plastic, glass, etc. The lens is preferablyformed of plastic to minimize the weight of the ornamental device andeffectively minimize the cost thereof. The lens is mounted in a suitableopening 32 in housing 13 and may be secured therein by suitable adhesivemeans 33 as desired. A tubular duct 34 may be provided extending betweenholder 15 and lens 31 to limit viewing within the housing to the area ofthe transparency 12. Light from lamp 18 may pass around the outside oftubular element 34 to illuminate the forward portions of the housing 13where the housing is light-transmitting and such light transmission isdesired.

As seen in FIG. 5, the transparency 12 may be readily viewed throughlens 31 to provide a personal identification with the ornamental deviceby suitable selection of the transparency. lllustratively, a series ofsuch omamental devices may be hung on a Christmas tree with each of thedevices carrying a picture of a different one of the users family. Asholder 15 permits ready installation and removal of the transparency,the transparency may be readily changed from time to time to keep pacewith changes in the users family or retained permanently therein asdesired by the user. Where the housing is light-transmitting, theornament functions somewhat in the manner of an ornamental lamp as thedevice not only provides for viewing of the transparency, but provides ageneral illumination of the tree.

Balancing of the device may be effected by suitably selecting the weightand positioning of lens 31, holder 15, and illuminating means 16.

Holder 15 is provided with a cutout portion 35 permitting the passage oflamp 18 therethrough such as for use in installing and removing the lampas for maintenance thereof. The lamp is preselected to pass through thetubular portion 23 of housing 13 upon removal of the cover 21.

The invention further comprehends providing a plurality of such elementsto be viewed within the housing. lllustratively, as seen in FIG. 6, apair of transparencies 12a and 12b may be provided within the housingfor viewing through oppositely disposed lenses 31a and 31b. Lamp 18a maycomprise a dual lamp for illuminating both transparencies from a centerportion thereof within housing 13. Suitable brackets 220 may be providedextending between the transparency holders 15a and 15b for carrying thelamp removably within the housing. Thus, ornamental device 10a, as shownin FIG. 6, permits use of a number of elements to be used within eachornamental device. The elements may illustratively be identical so thatthe same view will be obtained through each of the viewing portions ofthe device or may comprise different pictures as desired.

In illustrating the invention, the element to be viewed has been shownas a transparency. As discussed above, the element may comprise aconventional photograph which may be in black and white, or color asdesired. Where the element comprises a photograph, the lamp ispreferably mounted forwardly of the photograph such as adjacent thebottom of housing 13 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. Where thedevice is adapted for use with such a photograph, the tubular device 34may be provided with a suitable opening (not shown) in alignment withthe lamp l8 and photograph 12 to permit illumination of the surface ofthe photograph by the lamp.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

lclaim:

1. An ornamental device comprising: a light transmitting housingarranged to present a pleasing aesthetic appearance when illuminatedfrom internally thereof; means on the housing for hanging the housing ona suitable support; means within the housing for holding an element tobe viewed; means within the housing for illuminating said element andsaid housing; and means carried by the housing spaced from the elementin the holding means for permitting desired viewing of the illuminatedelement substantially only from directly forwardly thereof with saidhousing defining a more softly lighted surround thereabout.

2. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said housing is arranged toglow when illuminated by said illuminating means.

3. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said housing is translucent.

4. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said housing is spherical.

5. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said housing includes atubular projection, said hanging means being secured to said housingsubstantially in said projection.

6. The ornamental device of claim 5 wherein said tubular projection isadapted to pass said illuminating means therethrough for servicingthereof.

7. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said illuminating meansincludes an electrically operated lamp and wires extending outwardlythrough said housing at said hanging means.

8. Theornamental device of claim 1 wherein said viewing means comprisesopaque tubular wall means extending between said viewing means and saidspaced holding means and having a transverse cross-section substantiallysmaller than that of said housing.

9. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said holding means comprisesan open pocket means constructed to permit ready removal andinstallation of the element to be viewed relative to said device.

10. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of elementholding means and viewing means are provided.

11. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said housing simulates aconventional Christmas tree ornament.

12. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein a second holding means forholding a second element to be viewed is provided within said housingand a second means is carried by the housing for permitting the secondelement to be viewed, and said illuminating means is disposed to lighteach of said elements.

, 13. An ornamental device comprising: a light-transmitting housingarranged to present a'pleasing aesthetic appearance when illuminatedfrom internally thereof; means on the housing for hanging the housing ona suitable support; means within the housing for holding an element tobe viewed; means within the housing for illuminating said element andsaid housing; means carried by the housing spaced from the element inthe holding means for permitting viewing of the illuminated element; asecond holding means for holding a second element to be viewed withinsaid housing; and second means carried by the housing for permitting thesecond element to be viewed, said illuminating means being disposedadjacent the center of said housing to pass light through each of saidelements where each of said elements is a transparency, a tubularprojection on said housing adapted to pass said illuminating meanstherethrough for servicing thereof, and said viewing means comprisingopaque tubular wall means extending between said viewing means and saidspaced holding means and having a transverse cross section substantiallysmaller than that of said housing.

14. An ornamental device comprising:

a translucent globe suitable for use as a Christmas tree ornament;

means for holding a transparency in said globe;

magnifying means carried by the globe for viewing the transparency; and

illuminating means in said globe for passing light through said globefor causing said globe circumjacent said magnifying means to glow, andthrough said transparency to said magnifying viewing means.

15. The ornamental device of claim 14 wherein the total weight of thedevice is less than approximately 4 ounces.

1. An ornamental device comprising: a light transmitting housingarranged to present a pleasing aesthetic appearance when illuminatedfrom internally thereof; means on the housing for hanging the housing ona suitable support; means within the housing for holding an element tobe viewed; means within the housing for illuminating said element andsaid housing; and means carried by the housing spaced from the elementin the holding means for permitting desired viewing of the illuminatedelement substantially only from directly forwardly thereof with saidhousing defining a more softly lighted surround thereabout.
 2. Theornamental device of claim 1 wherein said housing is arranged to glowwhen illuminated by said illuminating means.
 3. The ornamental device ofclaim 1 wherein said housing is translucent.
 4. The ornamental device ofclaim 1 wherein said housing is spherical.
 5. The ornamental device ofclaim 1 wherein said housing includes a tubular projection, said hangingmeans being secured to said housing substantially in said projection. 6.The ornamental device of claim 5 wherein said tubular projection isadapted to pass said illuminating means therethrough for servicingthereof.
 7. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein said illuminatingmeans includes an electrically operated lamp and wires extendingoutwardly through said housing at said hanging means.
 8. The ornamentaldevice of claim 1 wherein said viewing means comprises opaque tubularwall means extending between said viewing means and said spaced holdingmeans and having a transverse cross-section substantially smaller thanthat of said housing.
 9. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein saidholding means comprises an open pocket means constructed to permit readyremoval and installation of the element to be viewed relative to saiddevice.
 10. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein a plurality ofelement holding means and viewing means are provided.
 11. The ornamentaldevice of claim 1 wherein said housing simulates a conventionalChristmas tree ornament.
 12. The ornamental device of claim 1 wherein asecond holding means for holding a second element to be viewed isprovided within said housing and a second means is carried by thehousing for permitting the second element to be viewed, and saidilluminating means is disposed to light each of said elements.
 13. Anornamental device comprising: a light-transmitting housing arranged topresent a pleasing aesthetic appearance when illuminated from internallythereof; means on the housing for hanging the housing on a suitablesupport; means within the housing for holding an element to be viewed;means within the housing for illuminating said element and said housing;means carried by the housing spaced from the element in the holdingmeans for permitting viewing of the illuminated element; a secondholding means for holding a second element to be viewed within saidhousing; and second means carried by the housing for permitting thesecond element to be viewed, said illuminating means being disposedadjacent the center of said housing to pass light through each of saidelements where each of said elements is a transparency, a tubularprojection on said housing adapted to pass said illuminating meanstherethrough for servicing thereof, and said viewing means comprisingopaque tubular wall means extending between said viewing means and saidspaced holding means and having a transverse cross section substantiallysmaller than that of said housing.
 14. An ornamental device comprising:a translucent globe suitable for use as a Christmas tree ornament; meansfor holding a transparency in said globe; magnifying means carried bythe globe for viewing the transparency; and illuminating means in saidglobe for passing light through said globe for causing said globecircumjacent said magnifying means to glow, and through saidtransparency to said magnifying viewing means.
 15. The ornamental deviceof claim 14 wherein the total weight of the device is less thanapproximately 4 ounces.